342 LAND BIRDS 
under the leaves, earthworms on the ground, or berries 
in the garden. These are all swallowed first and de- 
livered to the infant Mockers by regurgitation for the 
first few days, or until the babies’ eyes open. After that, 
the number of earthworms, butterflies, etc. devoured by 
those nestlings rivals the story of the young robins who 
in twelve hours ate forty per cent more than their own 
weight. There seems to be no limit to their appetite and 
scarcely any to their capacity. Even after they leave the 
nest and are nearly as large as the adults, they follow the 
overworked father about, begging with quivering wings. 
They are remarkably handsome youngsters, with their 
soft brownish coats and spotted breasts, well deserving 
the care and pride their fond parents bestow upon them. 
727a. SLENDER-BILLED NUTHATCH. — Sitta 
carolinensis aculeata. 
Famity: The Nuthatches and Tits. 
Length : 5.00-6.10. 
Adult Male: Top of head and nape blue-black ; sides of head and under 
parts white; back bluish slate-color; wings and tail marked with 
black and white. 
Adult Female: Top of head bluish gray; otherwise like male. 
Geographical Distribution: Western North America east through the 
Rockies, south to Mexico. 
California Breeding Range: Transition zone, except in humid coast belt. 
Breeding Season: April and May. 
Nest: In natural cavities of oak trees or old woodpecker holes; lined 
with moss, short hair, and feathers, sometimes grass. 
Eggs: 5 to 7; buffy white, thinly speckled with rusty and purple, 
Size 0.74 X 0.53. 
ParT way up the mountain-sides, on the clearings 
sparsely covered with iarge oak trees and surrounded by 
